Video Q&A about Smoking Cessation and Lung Cancer Screening

Perhaps education through a smoking cessation program will help you better understand your questions, your addiction and retrain your brain .

I was a commercial airline crew member for 35 years. I worked in second and third hand smoke. I was also very athletic and I never smoked!
Now get this: I never smoked. It was Not my choice, that I had lung cancer! I had to have a lung surgerciakly removed after my shocking diagnosis.
Preceded by a chocking cough for two years, that local doctors told me was psychological... no one thought a Never Smoker could get lung cancer!!!

We all need to be educated about lung cancer and lung health!

My life and breath was saved! But I will tell you this, it was the most painful experience of my 58 years of living.

I am a 10 year survivor. It was not easy!!! It took me three years to walk and breath anywhere normal again!

Now when I work out and ‘run with one lung’
people stare! They even say, Why do you breath so wired?
When I say, I had lung cancer, too often they assume I smoked.
Some people say, “You smoke? You deserve to die!” It’s harsh isn’t it? ...even when you never smoked, it’s harsh to here those words!

Do I really have to tell you how horrible the smoking stigma is?
My life insurance was cancelled by my insurance company! People do not believe I never smoked! I was required to go through Nicotine Rehab! I never smoked!!!

I hate the smell of cigarettes and smoking makes me physically ill.

We all know smoking is deadly!
it is in our face everyday!

So please do not make excuses. There is no doubt that there is documentation about the negative effects is tobacco. There are also some factual televised documentaries about the evils of big tobacco!

Last I checked, no one can tell anyone how long they have to live...no one gets out of here alive, right?
But isn’t living and the choices we make about Quality Of Life?

Help is available.

The life you save may not be your own. Please think about that!
linda

When I was 45 I thought I was strong enough to never get sick with lung cancer or diseases. I smoked for 45 yrs. total. I am now 64 and recently diagnosed with Copd. I am still smoking but cut down to 6 cigarettes a day. I have been trying to stop smoking for a year now and it is tough. I have a support group, patches and lozenges and still smoking. I am not strong enough to quit copd so I had better get my butt in gear and quit, even though, I am still fighting it.

Hi Desirea:Welcome to connect. Think about reading or at least looking at Dr Amit Soods book Happiness, his TED X Talk, and his meditation...all about the brain and body connection!combined with your breath and relaxation Amazing, insightful, healing in many ways. I know this because I am a 10 year lung cancer survivor...i have accomplished things I never dreamed possible with most of my left lung gone due to lung cancer & I neVer smoked;-)Keep up your great work. COPD and kung cancer are horrible!linda 

Thanks so much Linda for the book referral and welcome. I would also like to learn to meditate again. It's been years since I did. I am very sorry to hear about your lung cancer and relying on one lung and not even a smoker. What a shame! Thanks again for writing. Lorraine

I went on Amazon and found the book!! He has some other good books on Depression also that I might pick up *smiles* Thank You.

Hi Lorraine,
Here is a link to Dr. Amit Sood's website that lists all the items that Linda refers to http://stressfree.org/. You'll find several online resources there.

I'd also like to invite you to meet other members living with CPOD and talking in the Lung Health group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-conditions/

Thank You @colleenyoung, for Amit Sood's website. I already have joined lung health and read some post's. It gives me courage to keep going. After a year of trying to stop smoking, I felt weak and was thinking of taking a break from it. I also read a few topics in the group Lung Cancer.. left me speechless. Both of my parent's died of cancer, so I try to do the right thing. What the right thing is, is anyone's guess. I will venture to the website now and surf the books the Dr. has written.

I know you will laugh at this but you are making two big mistakes..... 1. Don't quit smoking, become a clean air breather. It is a mental image... ie: "don't think of elephants... and you will do nothing but think of elephants. Get smoking out of your mind. 2. You have to DECIDE to quit smoking (breath clean air).... NOT try, will make an effort, it isn't a matter if you can it is now down to YOU MUST. I gave them up 6 years ago, before I was diagnosed with COPD by laser treatments.... but I made up my mind before.

Thank You @waterboy for your wisdom. That helps and more positive. Yes, I have to decide to quit and not pansy around. No more room for playing games! Sorry to hear you have COPD as well! Take care.

Hi everyone. I've been reading your posts and my heart goes out to all of you. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Pam and I work in the Nicotine Dependence Center here at Mayo Clinic Rochester. I work specifically with the 8-day Residential Treatment Program. This program is designed for those who have struggled with quitting on their own, may feel they've tried everything, and are looking for a safe place to get away and truly focus on becoming tobacco free without the distractions of work, family, and other commitments. It's so important to take care of yourself. We all get wrapped up in wanting to take care of others but we need to remember to take care of ourselves first and then we're better equipped to take care of others. Most people don't realize there are places to come for treatment for tobacco dependence, and unfortunately there are only two in the country - the Mayo program and another in St. Helena, CA. You can find information on the Mayo Clinic program at http://www.mayoclinic.org/ndctreatment. Or if you want to talk to someone I'm happy to chat with you and answer any questions (507) 266-9392.